The Small Business Development Academy

Most businesses think they need more leads.In reality, they’re sitting on a goldmine they’re not using.In this episode, we break down one of the biggest mistakes we see across almost every business we work with: a lack of follow-up. We dive into why so many business owners stop after one message, why rejection holds people back, and how much revenue is being left on the table because of it.The truth is — most people don’t buy the first time.And if you’re not following up properly, you’re missing out on the majority of your sales.We cover:• Why “we need more leads” is usually the wrong problem• The psychology of rejection and why it stops people following up• How many times you actually need to follow up (it’s more than you think)• Why your existing list is your biggest opportunity• How to build a simple follow-up system that converts• The difference between cold leads and the “gold” already in your database• Why being too polite is costing you salesIf you’ve ever felt like your pipeline is full but your sales aren’t where they should be — this episode will show you exactly what’s missing.🎧 Listen now.

Most people start a business because they’re good at a job.They’re great at delivering the work, solving problems, and ticking tasks off a to-do list.But that’s also the exact reason many businesses stop growing.In this episode, we break down one of the biggest bottlenecks we see with agency owners and service-based businesses: the founder being stuck in the day-to-day work of the business instead of leading it.We talk about why letting go of low-level tasks is so difficult, why many founders stay trapped doing £10 tasks, and the identity shift that has to happen if you want your business to grow.We also discuss:• Why most agency founders become the biggest bottleneck in their own business• The difference between doing tasks and growing a business• Why time and energy in business are not equal• The stages of growth every agency owner goes through• Why learning to let go of delivery is one of the hardest but most important moves you’ll make• How to create the thinking space needed to actually grow your businessIf you're a service business owner, agency founder, or someone trying to step out of the day-to-day grind and build something bigger, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now.

Most small business owners fall into the same trap: thinking the answer to everything is “just sell more.”In this episode, Greg and Nicky break down why that mindset keeps you stuck, overwhelmed, and trapped in a business that can’t grow without you.They dig into:The real identity shift from job-doer to business ownerWhy replacing yourself with admin is the first game-changerThe danger of hiring salespeople too earlyHow the Replacement Ladder actually works in a micro-businessEgo, fear, and the emotional blocks that stop you scalingWhy “doing okay” is the most dangerous place to beHow to lead, delegate and build a business that doesn’t rely solely on youThe power of coaching, learning and staying in “white belt mentality”If you’re feeling stuck, overloaded, or unsure what the “next level” looks like, this episode will give you clarity on the real steps that move a small business forward.

Most small businesses don’t fail because of cash flow or marketing, they fail because the owner’s mindset collapses first.In this episode, Greg and Nicky break down what really keeps a business owner performing at their best mentally, emotionally, and physically and the five mindset disciplines that separate those who grow from those who give up.They dig into:Why your business rises and falls with your personal energyHow to sell the vision to yourself, your family, and your teamWhat to do when business gets lonely (and no one cares about your wins)How to beat imposter syndrome and self-doubtWhy discipline beats motivation every timeIf you’re serious about scaling your business between £100k–£500k without burning out, this one’s essential listening.

Every business owner makes mistakes.But few talk honestly about them — or how they turn them into success stories.In this episode of the SBDA Podcast, Nicky and Greg unpack the real, unfiltered lessons from Greg’s book “How Not to Run a Small Business.”They share the chaos, bad calls, and breakthroughs that took a struggling company from borrowing money just to survive… to selling for seven figures.Expect real stories, not theory — including:The mindset shift that changed everythingWhy “pay yourself first” is the key to growthHow to take risks without losing it allThe painful hiring mistakes most owners make (and how to avoid them)If you’ve ever wondered why running a business feels so hard, this episode will remind you: you’re not alone — and every mistake can be fixed.🎧 Listen now to Episode 7: How Not to Run a Small Business (and What to Do Instead).

Most business owners think growth comes from better marketing, more clients, or new systems.But the real driver of a 7-figure business? Leadership.In Part 2 of our 5 Stages of Leadership series, Greg and I dive deep into the next stages — how to lead people, manage performance, drive change, and develop other leaders so your business can run and grow without you being in every detail.We share:How to get your team genuinely bought into your visionWhy environment and trust are everything in leadershipHow to align your team’s personal goals with your business goalsWhen to let go — and why developing other leaders is the only way to scaleThe common mistakes that stall leadership growthIf your goal is to step out of the day-to-day and build a business that truly works without you, this episode will show you what it takes.

Most business owners think leadership is about telling people what to do. We learned the hard way that it’s not.In this episode of the SBDA podcast, we share the biggest leadership mistakes we made while building our businesses — and how we discovered the 5 stages of leadership that transform not just your team, but your entire business.We cover:Why “command and control” leadership costs you good peopleThe identity shift every business owner must go throughHow to manage yourself before you can manage a teamWhy leadership is the ultimate self-development journeyThis is Part 1 of our deep dive into the 5 stages of leadership we teach inside our coaching framework. These lessons changed how we led our businesses, and they’ll help you become the leader your team actually wants to follow.

If sales feels like the hardest part of running your business, you’re not alone. We used to struggle with it too.In this episode, we share how we overcame the biggest sales challenges we faced while building our businesses — and the lessons that helped us go from awkward and uncertain to confident and consistent in selling.👉 What you’ll learn:The most common mistakes small business owners make in salesHow to overcome fear, rejection, and self-doubt when sellingPractical ways to build confidence and close more deals without feeling “salesy”We’ve been through the same frustrations you’re facing, and in this conversation we’ll show you what actually works so you can start enjoying sales instead of dreading it.

Getting new clients can feel overwhelming — but the truth is, there are only 5 ways to do it. Everything else is just noise.In this episode, we break down the only 5 proven methods to win clients, so you can stop chasing shiny objects and focus on what actually works.Drawing on our experience building and selling our own businesses, we’ll share the strategies that consistently bring in clients — plus the mistakes to avoid so you don’t waste time and money.👉 What you’ll learn:The 5 client-getting strategies every business relies onWhich methods work best depending on your stage of growthHow to stop spreading yourself too thin and double down on what worksIf you’re tired of guessing how to find clients, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to build a repeatable system that grows your business.

Most small business owners don’t lose profit because of bad products or poor service, they lose it because of bad pricing.In this episode, we uncover the 3 biggest pricing mistakes we see business owners make every day… and share the 3 simple solutions to fix them fast.As business coaches who’ve built (and sold) our own companies, we know firsthand how easy it is to undersell, undervalue, and second-guess your prices. We’ll walk you through practical strategies that help you price with confidence and protect your profits.👉 What you’ll learn:The 3 most common pricing traps (and how to avoid them)Why undercharging can hurt your business more than losing a sale3 simple fixes that will boost profit without losing customersIf you’re ready to stop underselling and start charging what your business is really worth, this episode is for you.

Building a small business is tough, but it doesn’t have to be guesswork.In this episode, we break down the 3 essentials every business owner must get right to create lasting success.As two entrepreneurs who built and sold our own businesses, we share the hard lessons, the biggest mistakes we see owners make, and the practical steps you can take to grow smarter, faster, and stronger.Whether you’re struggling to scale, stuck in day-to-day firefighting, or planning for the future, this conversation gives you the clarity and tools you need to move forward with confidence.👉 What you’ll learn:The 3 foundations every business needs to thriveCommon pitfalls that hold owners back (and how to avoid them)Proven strategies we used to build and sell our companiesIf you’re serious about growing your business, this episode will show you where to focus your time and energy for maximum impact.